University Recreation Centers Honored as 'Most Impressive'

University of Arizona

The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, expanded its Campus Recreation Center in 2010. The facility now features sand volleyball courts, a bouldering wall and tutoring center in addition to fitness equipment and group exercise offerings. (Photo courtesy of the University of Arizona.)

Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, is home to the Cary Street Gym. The gym features two heated indoor pools, indoor turf, studios for stretching and cycling, and an 18,000-square-foot fitness center. (Photo courtesy of Virginia Commonwealth University.)

Colorado State University

The Student Recreation Center at Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, reopened in 2011 after an extensive renovation. The building features 38-foot and 40-foot climbing towers as well as an outdoor bouldering wall and an indoor swimming pool bouldering wall. (Photo courtesy of Colorado State University.)

California State University, Northridge

California State University, Northridge offers students activity-specific workout areas at its Student Recreation Center. The facility features three fitness zones and three group exercise studios as well as an outdoor pool and 130,000-square-foot illuminated artificial turf field. (Photo courtesy of California State University, Northridge.)

Ohio State University

The Recreation and Physical Activity Center at Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, offers 27,500 square feet of fitness space, four gyms, four squash courts and 10 racquetball courts. The center also features a student wellness center. (Photo courtesy of Ohio State University.)

University of Maine

The 87,000-square-foot New Balance Student Recreation and Fitness Center at the University of Maine, Orono, ME, is located next to more than 15 miles of outdoor trails. The center also features a leisure pool, a vortex current pool, a shallow splash area with a fountain and a 20-person hot tub. (Photo courtesy of the University of Maine.)

California State University, Fullerton

California State University, Fullerton's Student Recreation Center features an indoor jogging track, three multipurpose courts, a multimedia cardio room and a cycling studio. The center also offers a two-level fitness center with more than 150 pieces of equipment. (Photo courtesy of California State University, Fullerton.)

Eastern Washington University

Students at Eastern Washington University, Cheney, WA, can learn to ice skate and rock climb at the $26.3 million University Recreation Center. The facility houses a 19,000-square-foot ice rink and 30-foot climbing wall in addition to a fitness center and leisure areas. (Photo courtesy of Eastern Washington University.)

Rice University

The David & Barbara Gibbs Recreation Center at Rice University, Houston, features indoor and outdoor courts, a 2,400-square-foot recreation pool and an activities lounge where students can play table tennis and billiards. (Photo courtesy of Rice University.)

University of Colorado at Colorado Springs

The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs' 54,000-square-foot Campus Recreation Center receives 550 to 600 visitors per day. The facility features a fitness center, an indoor track, a 12-foot bouldering wall and an aquatics center. An artificial turf field is set to open next year, and the facility will undergo an expansion in 2015. (Photo courtesy of the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.)

Montclair State University

Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ, offers free group exercise classes, intramural sports and bike rentals at its 77,000-square-foot Student Recreation Center. The facility opened in 2008 and features an elevated indoor track and an indoor pool, as well as lounge areas with TVs and gaming consoles. (Photo by Mike Peters, Montclair State University.)

University of Missouri

The MizzouRec at the University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, includes an outdoor complex, sand volleyball courts, a cardio theater and workout-specific strength training rooms. The MizzouRec also houses the university's aquatics center, which features a 50-meter swimming pool with a diving well, a resort-style grotto and a leisure pond. (Photo courtesy of the University of Missouri.)

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay

The Kress Events Center at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay offers students an array of indoor and outdoor fitness. The facility features a football field, six tennis courts, four soccer fields and two softball diamonds, as well as an indoor pool, an event arena and a turf gym. (Photo courtesy of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.)

Take a look at some of the university recreation centers featured on bestvalueschools.com's list of the country's 20 most impressive college gyms and recreation centers.

Best Value Schools, which offers information about how to get the most value in a college degree, reviewed campus recreation facilities based on a variety of factors, including their LEED rating, the number of design and industry awards won, and the unique amenities offered, according to its website.

The full list of schools and their recreation centers that were recognized is available here. All recreation center information included is according to the universities' websites.